Wealth opens up possibility.

And wealth, also vastly, complicates a life.

We work with hundreds of families who contribute meaningfully to the American economy. They are creators. Entrepreneurs. Leaders in—and in some cases, founders of—entire American industries. Inventors. Pioneers. Makers of companies, jobs, institutions. Some use their creativity to create culture, media, and entertainment. And yet, others are members of multi-generational stalwart families that have built and invested in education institutions, major leaps in science, the building of whole cities and towns. Some are visible. Many are the quiet fabric that holds their communities together.

The one thing that is common about this uncommon group: They have built and earned their wealth—and all are in the gritty act of putting that wealth to work.

How?

By pursuing their preferred life—the life they yearn for, dream about, hope for—often in ways that extend beyond what they once imagined. And for many, that includes building preferred lives for others—family, future generations, employees, neighbors, alma maters.

One of our great privileges—and we do mean that in the true sense of that word—is to walk side by side with them in this essential act of building their life and the impact from how their life is lived. Through years of experience working with families like these, we come to recognize the patterns, challenges, bumps in the road to building a preferred life. We help them make their toughest choices. We coordinate the day-to-day tedium and complexity so they can devote more of their time and energy to what matters most. We help knit together the systems, professional teams, key conversations, re-mendings of relationships, and care needed to support their family across generations.

And with a resourcefulness, foresight, determined and deep empathy—we accompany them, through the best of it and the hardest of it. We are there on the day a great company is sold. We are there for first births—and joyful future-planning. We are there when a new idea is launched into the world. We are there for second chapters, and career reinventions. We are also there in moments of loss: a gut-wrenching diagnosis, a divorce, a rift in the family. And we are there for all the calls, planning sessions, and thoughtful discussions in between.

When you think in generations, life is long. When you realize the impact you want to make and how precious life is, time is very short.

What motivates us at Pathstone?

To be in service of your preferred life—as deeply as our trusted relationship will allow, and in all the ways we can bring to bear. We take seriously our ethical vow to act in your best interest—always, and in all ways.